February 26, 2010

Brazil Around the World

This week has been full of interesting articles and events about Brazil, so here are a few I found.

Koni has opened in New York!

Well, not exactly Koni, but a definite cousin of the Rio cone restaurant fad. It's called K! Pizza Cone. (Read a review here) On Tuesday, I literally stumbled upon it and was so excited that I tried taking some pictures with my Blackberry, but they didn't come out so well. I know a few people who were interested in opening this kind of restaurant in New York, but it looks like someone beat them to it!

The NYT showcased a Brazilian photographer who took some really funky photos of blocos and street parties during Carnival in Rio. Rather than focusing on the glitz of the Sambadrome, he captured the heart of the party--and in black and white. It's worth checking out.

Seth Kugel strikes again with an interesting story about açaí in the Amazon and how the locals eat it raw without sugar or flavoring (he says, literally, that it tastes like dirt). In related news, we just found some frozen pulp at Whole Foods this week. Yum.

Lula is on a good will tour in Latin America, and his latest stop was in Cuba, where he met with the Castros and discussed trade, putting to rest any of the usual rumors that Fidel is no longer alive. Though the media reported jailed human rights dissidents had formally asked for Lula's aid, he denied any contact with them and never met with them. He did comment on the death of one of the dissidents, who died during a hunger strike.

This week, the Brazilian Senate approved a bilateral measure that would extend Brazilians' US visas to ten years, instead of five. This will also work the other way around, so Americans will get Brazilian visas that last ten years. It applies for tourist and work visas. Easier traveling for all!

The Secretariat for Women's Affairs wants the Devassa commercial with Paris Hilton pulled off the air, claiming it "devalues women" and is too sensual. Watch the video here and see for yourself, but other than being unbelievably stupid, the most offensive thing about it is that it in fact stars Paris Hilton.

Acai pulp is available in Brazilian markets in Newark's Ironbound and Astoria. ICEFRUIT Polpa de Açaí Médio costs about $3.29 for for packets of 100grams. One packet thawed and blended with three bananas makes a delicious acai smoothie (which can also be enjoyed na tagala).